[3] Still, Yuan Tan managed to seize Beihai State from Kong Rong in the east in 196,[3] and expelled Tian Kai in the north to expand his domain in the area.
Yuan Shao, however, was defeated in the conflict and fell sick shortly after returning to his base city of Ye.
[7] When Yuan Tan rushed back from his duty elsewhere, he could not revert the situation, the only thing he could do was to proclaim himself "General of Chariots and Cavalry" (車騎將軍), his father's former title.
Yuan Tan allied with his brother and stationed his troops in Liyang (northeast of present-day Xun County, Henan) against the attack but his request for more troops was turned down by Yuan Shang, who feared his elder brother would take over military control.
[7] Yuan Shang then left Shen Pei to defend Ye and personally led a force to Liyang to assist in the defense.
For half a year the battle went on, but the Yuan brothers eventually gave up the city after a major defeat, and retreated to Ye.
Merging Yuan Shang's surrendered troops into his own, Yuan Tan violated the alliance with Cao Cao by taking Ganling (present-day Qinghe County, Hebei), Anping County, Bohai Commandery (vicinity of present-day Cangzhou, Hebei) and Hejian into his realm.